Adam Clayton could be the next Leeds player to head for the exit as a result of Pappa Smurf’s policy on wages, while Bolton Wanderers are chasing Tom Lees. As far as incoming players are concerned, Grayson is trying to get a couple of familiar faces on loan from Aston Villa.

Clayton has emerged as a key member of the Leeds team this season with his inspirational performances in central midfield, taking advantage of the first team place he was given after Bradley Johnson failed to agree a new deal in the summer. But ironically it seems quite possible that Clayton himself may become the next player to tread the well-worn path away from Elland Road, as he now has only 18 months remaining on his contract.

The 22 year-old and his agent have talking about a contract extension for some time, but the two sides are “struggling to agree” a deal according to Sky, which suggests there is quite a gap between the amount that Clayton is looking for and the sum that Bates is prepared to pay. Inevitably, this news has interested a number of clubs in the Premier League, who might tempt Leeds with a bid.

Another player whose talent has been noted at Premiership level is Tom Lees. Bolton are interested in signing our 21-year-old central defender after selling Gary Cahill to Chelsea, though in his case Leeds aren’t under such pressure to sell. I suppose that Lees might fancy a spell in the Premiership for the next few months, but it’s likely that Bolton and Leeds will both be in the Championship next season, so it wouldn’t be a great leap forward in his career.

As far as incoming players are concerned, we will of course be relying on the loan market during the current transfer window, and the word is that we’re trying to get Fabian Delph and Eric back from Aston Villa.

We need some cover at right back, with Connolly presumably being one of the players who won’t play for us again after the debacle at Barnsley, leaving only the inexperienced Zac Thompson. Lichaj would seem to fit the bill after his spell at Leeds last season, but Alex McLeish is thought to want to keep him at Villa Park, as he’s not happy with the form of their other right back Alan Hutton.

Delph left Leeds in the summer of 2009 to join Villa in a £6 Million deal, but has struggled at Villa Park after suffering a serious injury soon after arriving in the West Midlands. He recently signed a new contract which lasts until 2015, but Villa are prepared to send him out on loan for the rest of the current season.

Leeds haven’t yet made contact with Villa regarding Delph, but it’s likely that an official approach will be made later in the week. Then it will be a question of whether Bates will be willing to pay a large enough proportion of the player’s wages to tempt Villa to agree to a loan deal. Is it worth holding our breath?

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